BLOG TOUR / REVIEW FOR - RESIST (SEQUEL TO REMAKE) BY - ILIMA TODD

Welcome to my stop for RESIST.  Thanks to Shadow Mountain for the opportunity to review this wonderful book.

DESCRIPTION:

Having been rescued, Remade, and returned to Freedom, Theron must now face a life without Nine. Though he’s chosen to be a healer, he uses all the vices Freedom affords to try and dull the pain of losing Nine. But he can’t find the peace he so desperately needs. Until he meets Catcher, a man who shows him the dark truths behind Freedom’s Batcher program. From him, Theron learns what it means to be a leader and a father. When he falls in love with a captured rebel named Pua, Theron must choose: Freedom and its easy pleasures, or a life that is truly free but full of hardships and decisions.

MY REVIEW / THOUGHTS:

I am going a little to the left field for a minute.  I might be introducing you to my inner "nerd" but I am totally okay with that.  Now, let me ask a question...Am I the only person that writes an ending or a sequel to a book that you really liked in your head?  Well, now that I have asked the question you know that I do this.  When a book has a cliff hanger, I can dream about it forever until I come up with an "ending" that will satisfy me until the book comes out.  OR, when I know there is a sequel coming out and it won't be for a while, I "write" in my head how I want the book to go...hehehe  

Now, I was super excited to get invited to this tour because I really enjoyed the first book in this series.  REMAKE.  If you haven't read it, pick both books up.  They are great.

I had a scenario in my head already when I started this book (go to above statement ;)), and as I started reading this wonderful book, the story starts to unfold in a way I was totally not expecting.  Well, some yes, others no.

The book came to life right away.  I watched as the words brought the whole world back to the front of my mind.  After Nine, and Theron get "remade" something happens, and Nine doesn't come back from her Remake.  

Theron is introduced to a new trade.  We get to meet new characters, that are just as wonderful as the previous characters.  Ilima, is a beautiful writer.  I loved how she brought these new characters in and the roles they play.

Theron is devastated that Nine is gone and cannot seem to find a way to get her out of his mind.  When introduced to his new trade, things begin to change for him, in a way Theron was not expecting.  Regardless of whether or not he will ever see Nine again, he decides to go into this new trade and do the best he can.  He meets Catcher.  There is way more to Catcher than meets the eye,

While this story unfolds into the wonderful story it is, I was again taken into a scenario I indeed did not expect.  It was fantastic.  I cannot wait for the next book to come out.  In the mean time I am going to have to "write" my own version so I don't dream about it every night.  

Ilima's world, story, writing, and character building is fantastic.  I do not think you will be disappointed if you pick this series up.  

Source:  I was given this book as part of a tour.  I was not compensated in any way for this review.  These are my own PERSONAL thoughts on the book.

MY RATING:

WHERE TO BUY:

    

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

YA sci-fi author of REMAKE and RESIST (Simon Pulse/Shadow Mountain). Wife. Mama. I majored in Physics: to save time, let's just assume that I'm always right.

THANKS TO:

AUDIO BOOK REVIEW FOR - THE CITY OF MIRRORS - BY JUSTIN CRONIN

pic and description taken from Goodreads

DESCRIPTION:

In "The Passage" and "The Twelve", Justin Cronin brilliantly imagined the fall of civilization and humanity's desperate fight to survive. Now all is quiet on the horizon but does silence promise the nightmare's end or the second coming of unspeakable darkness? At last, this bestselling epic races to its breathtaking finale.

"The world we knew is gone. What world will rise in its place?"

The Twelve have been destroyed and the hundred-year reign of darkness that descended upon the world has ended. The survivors are stepping outside their walls, determined to build society anew and daring to dream of a hopeful future.

But far from them, in a dead metropolis, he waits: Zero. The First. Father of the Twelve. The anguish that shattered his human life haunts him, and the hatred spawned by his transformation burns bright. His fury will be quenched only when he destroys Amy – humanity's only hope, the Girl from Nowhere who grew up to rise against him.

One last time light and dark will clash, and at last Amy and her friends will know their fate. 

MY REVIEW / THOUGHTS:

I have been waiting for this book to come out since I finished book 2.   I have love, love, loved this series.  This was such a great conclusion to the trilogy!

If you liked the first two books of this series, you will not be disappointed with this one.  There is so much going on in this book.  

I listened to this because I loved the narrator so much on the first two.  End of the world things are not my favorite but this series was so fantastic.   I couldn't get enough of it.  It took me a little while to finish, but so worth it.  I think I didn't listen to it constantly so that I didn't have to end the series.

The twelve are done with.....100 years have passed and those who survived have thrived.  Built homes, families etc.  

We get to revisit some of the great characters from book one and two, and are introduced to some new ones in this book.  They are realizing that the world can be great again, but it may take time, patience, and hard work.

One man realizes that the land left in his family has a history to it.  When he comes to realize what it all means, its fan freaking tastic.  Seriously you need to read this series.   I just loved it.

Content:  There is some language and talk of sex and maybe a little sexual encounters, but it didn't distract me from the book.

Source:  I bought this book for myself.  I was not compensated in any way for this review.  These are my own PERSONAL thoughts on the book.

MY RATING:

WHERE TO BUY:

    

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

pic and bio taken from Goodreads

In 2010, Justin Cronin’s The Passage was a phenomenon. The unforgettable tale that critics and readers compared to the novels of Cormac McCarthy, Michael Crichton, Stephen King, and Margaret Atwood became a runaway bestseller and enchanted readers around the globe. It spent 3 months on The New York Times bestseller list. It was featured on more than a dozen “Best of the Year” lists, including Time’s “Top 10 Fiction of 2010,” NPR’s “Year’s Most Transporting Books,” and Esquire’s “Best & Brightest of 2010.” It was a #1 Indie Next Selection. It sold in over 40 countries and became a bestseller in many of them. Stephen King called The Passage “enthralling… read this book and the ordinary world disappears.” Now, PEN/Hemingway Award-winner Justin Cronin bring us the conclusion to his epic trilogy with The City of Mirrors. For the last time, Amy—the Girl from Nowhere, who lived a thousand years—will join her friends and face down the demons that threaten the last of humanity. Justin Cronin is also the author of Mary and O’Neil (which won the PEN/Hemingway Award and the Stephen Crane Prize), and The Summer Guest. Other honors for his writing include a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts and a Whiting Writer’s Award. A Distinguished Faculty Fellow at Rice University, he divides his time between Houston, Texas, and Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

REVIEW FOR - THE SIREN - BOOK 2 IN THE SOUL SUMMONER SERIES - BY - ELICIA HYDER

pic and description taken from Goodreads

DESCRIPTION:

All the missing victims of North Carolina’s deadliest serial killer have been found, all except Rachel Smith. When the FBI produces a photo proving Rachel is alive and well in Texas, one case is closed but another one is opened. Either this is a case of mistaken identity or there are more people than just Sloan Jordan and Warren Parish who seem to walk the earth without a soul.

Along with Detective Nathan McNamara, Sloan and Warren travel south to find Rachel and solve the biggest mystery of all: determining who—or what—they really are.

The Siren is Book 2 of The Soul Summoner Series.

MY REVIEW / THOUGHTS:

***** MAY BE SPOILERS BECAUSE THIS IS BOOK 2 *****

This book was so good.  I thought the first one was good, but this one is so much better.  I really enjoy it when a series I am reading stays strong through all of the series.  Although this is only number 2, but I have a feeling there will be another one :).

Sloan has the ability to read people and to heal people.  She can automatically tell if you're a good person or a bad person.  I wish I could have this talent....for real!  

Sloan finds out more about herself, and how she has the abilities that she has.  It's a fun and exciting journey to take with her.  

This book is full of twists, and turns that kept me involved the whole time.  I love when a book grabs me right from the beginning and flows well enough to keep me from putting it down.  It just makes my heart happy.  I felt like I was with Sloan and her friends the whole time.  

The only, and I mean only bad thing I have to say about this series is that there is a love triangle, and I hate those more than anything.  I usually won't read a book if I "know" there is the possibility of a love triangle.  That is how much I dislike them.  BUT, on the flip side there were so many other fantastic things about the story that I had to keep reading to find out what happens.

If you like mystery, adventure, and eerie happenings, you will really enjoy this series.  I am only giving it 4 stars because of the love triangle.  I just really don't like them.  If that wasn't in the book it totally would have been a 5 star read.

Source:  I was given this book as part of a promotional tour.  I was not compensated in any way for this review.  These are my own PERSONAL thoughts on the books.

MY RATING:

WHERE TO BUY:

   

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Elicia Hyder is the author of several contemporary fantasy novels such as The Soul Summoner, The Siren, The Angel of Death, and The Daughter of Zion as well as a few contemporary romances, The Bed She Made and To Be Her first. Elicia studied American Literature and Creative Writing at the American Military University. She lives with her husband and five children in central Florida.

www.eliciahyder.com

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BOOK 1

DESCRIPTION:

Blessed–or cursed–with a connection to the souls of others, Sloan Jordan can see the best in people… and the worst. For twenty-seven years, she's kept her ability to judge the innocent from the wicked a secret, but eleven young women have been murdered in the mountains of North Carolina, and Sloan may be the only hope of finding their killer.

She has just agreed to help Detective Nathan McNamara with the case, when a stranger--who is as alluring as he is terrifying--shows up at her doorstep with a dark past and another puzzling mystery: she can't see his soul at all.

Now, Sloan is on the hunt for a deadly psychopath with two irresistible men. One of them would die for her, and the other would kill to keep her safe.

BOOK 1 - BOOK TRAILER

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THANKS TO:

for the opportunity to review this book!

BOOK REVIEW FOR - BORN TO TREASON - BY E.B. WHEELER

pic and description taken from Goodreads:

DESCRIPTION:

Joan Pryce is not only a Catholic during the English Reformation but also Welsh, and comes from a family of proud revolutionaries. But when a small act of defiance entangles her in a deadly conspiracy, a single misstep may lead her straight to the gallows. Now, Joan must navigate a twisting path that could cost her life, her freedom, and her chance of finding love.

MY REVIEW / THOUGHTS:

This was such a fantastic story about sticking to your convictions and beliefs.  While Joan tries to keep her religion close to her heart without getting put to the gallows she takes on a life changing course to stay true to herself and her beliefs.

This setting is beautiful, and the author put me right in the action.  There was such a great story of, betrayal, love, and conviction.  I felt Joan's love for what she believes in to flow through out the book.  Although she knew what she was doing was illegal, she kept with it and love found a way to make things work.

I love how clean this book was and how involved it kept me.  I am in love with the ending!!!  I have enjoyed Wheeler's story, and know you will you.  Take a chance, buy the book!  You will not be disappointed.

Source:  I was given this book in return for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any way for this review.  These are my own PERSONAL thoughts on the book

MY RATING:

WHERE TO BUY:

    

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

pic and bio taken from Goodreads

E.B. Wheeler grew up in Georgia and California. She attended BYU, majoring in history with an English minor, and earned graduate degrees in history and landscape architecture from Utah State University. She's the award-winning author of THE HAUNTING OF SPRINGETT HALL and BORN TO TREASON, as well as several short stories, magazine articles, and scripts for educational software programs. She lives in the mountains of Utah with her husband, daughters, various pets, and as many antique roses as she can cram into her yard. If she had spare time, she would spend it playing harp and hammered dulcimer, gardening, hiking, shooting archery, knitting, and reading.

THANKS TO:

for the opportunity to read this book!

MINI REVIEWS - CHILDREN'S BOOKS - BY CAROLE P. ROMAN

    

  

pics and descriptions taken from Goodreads

DESCRIPTIONS:

IF YOU WERE ME AND LIVED IN ITALY - Join Carole P. Roman as she visits the Republic of Italy. Learn what it is like to live in Rome, see the famous architecture, celebrate a favorite holiday and discover popular names for both boys and girls. Be fascinated with it's diverse and rich history and colorful traditions. On the way, you might learn a word or two in Italian!

IF YOU WERE ME AND LIVED IN EGYPT  - Join Carole P. Roman when she visits the stunning and exciting land of Egypt in the newest book of her informative series. Learn why this ancient land often called "the cradle of civilization." Travel down the Nile to discover Egypt's fascinating history. See the land through the eyes of a youngster like you and understand what life is like in this exotic place. Don't forget to look at the other books in the series so that you can be an armchair world traveler. 

BEING A CAPTAIN IS HARD WORK - Captain No Beard is determined to travel to Dew Rite Volcano. He won't listen when Mongo predicts a storm or Linus indicates they are headed in the wrong direction. He insists Polly cook in the galley even though the seas are getting rough. What's a crew to do with a stubborn, know-it-all captain? 

Will they convince the captain he is barreling headlong into danger, or will Captain No Beard jeopardize both his safety and the crew’s with his single-minded determination to go where he wants? 

CAN A PRINCESS BE A FIREFIGHTER? - Two little girls pepper their father with questions about whether or not they can be a profession and still be a princess. Motivated by her granddaughter's fascination with all things 'princess, ' Carole P. Roman penned this adorable poem celebrating all the wonderful possibilities waiting ahead for them

ROCKET-BYE - Carole P. Roman travels to the stars, orbiting the moon and rocketing past planets in this adorable journey to the far reaches of the galaxy. A beautiful bedtime poem, this verse is sure to delight any child before they go to sleep.

MY REVIEW / THOUGHTS:

IF YOU WERE ME AND LIVED IN ITALY - I love these books.  They are so great for little kids.  It's a great way to expose them to new countries, and cultures!  It's fun to learn the words for simple things like Mom, Dad, Grandma, and Grandpa.  You learn about what they are famous for.  It's just a great book to expose little kids to new cultures.

IF YOU WERE ME AND LIVED IN EGYPT - Another book in Roman's series of countries.  Each ones of these books has interesting facts about the country.  Egypt is a transcontinental country, which means is it both in Africa and Egypt.  Just fun facts.  Sweet, short stories for kids.  Full of fun facts!  

BEING A CAPTAIN IS HARD WORK - I love the stories of Captain No Beard.  They always teach a lesson and have little facts in them as well.   They keep kids interested in fun facts about the world, through wonderful illustrations, and adventures.  This particular Captain No Beard teaches about clouds, and what kinds there are, and stubbornness.  Brings kids attention to being willing to listen to others.  Sweet, fun, beautiful book.

CAN A PRINCESS BE A FIREFIGHTER? -  Again Roman teaches a wonderful lesson in this book.  I LOVED this book.  LOVED IT!  This book teaches little girls that they can be anything they want if they just put their minds to it.  I love stories that teach kids that they can dream and set goals and have a good time doing it.   Such a sweet, sweet book.

ROCKET-BYE - This is another fun book.  This is a bed time story that teaches about the stars, and the planets.  What a fun way to teach kids about the universe.   I even learned more about the stars.  It was fun.  I love it when authors bring things to life for kids that are facts they probably wouldn't be interested in any other way, at a young age.

MY OVER ALL RATING:

WHERE TO BUY:

  

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

pic and bio taken from Goodreads

Award winning author Carole P. Roman is a former teacher turned businesswoman. She has successfully run a family business with her husband that employs close to five hundred people. Her most favorite job is being grandmother to her many grandchildren. Roman has two wonderful sons and hit the jackpot in the daughter-in-law department. She currently lives on Long Island with her husband.

Her first book, Captain No Beard - An Imaginary Tale of a Pirate's Life has been named to Kirkus Reviews' Best of 2012 as well garnered the star of remarkable merit. It was named in the Pinnacle Award for Best in Children's Fiction 2012. Captain No Beard has developed in a series of 6 more books. She is the author of the best selling book, I Want To Do Yoga Too. Currently, she is working on her educational series that explores different cultures from a child's point of view. If You Were Me and Lived in...Mexico, received the Pinnacle Award for Best in Children's non-fiction 2012. If You Were Me and Lived in...Kenya received 5 Stars from the ForeWord Clarion Review. She just completed Russia with the help of her five year old grandson and loved every minute of it.

AUDIO BOOK REVIEW FOR - UNDER DIFFERENT STARS - BY AMY A. BARTOL

pic and description taken from Goodreads

DESCRIPTION:

Kricket Hollowell is normally not one to wish upon stars; she believes they’re rarely in her favor. Well versed at dodging caseworkers from Chicago’s foster care system, the past few years on her own have made Kricket an expert at the art of survival and blending in. With her 18th birthday fast approaching, she dreams of the day when she can stop running and find what her heart needs most: a home.

Trey Allairis hates Earth and doubts that anyone from his world can thrive here. What he’s learning of Kricket and her existence away from her true home only confirms his theory. But, when he and Kricket lie together under the stars of Ethar, counting them all may be easier than letting her go.

Kyon Ensin’s secrets number the stars; he knows more about Kricket's gifts than anyone and plans to possess her because of them. He also knows she’s more valuable than any fire in the night sky. He’ll move the heavens and align them all in order to make her his own.

When everything in their world can be broken, will Kricket rely upon love to save her under different stars? 

MY REVIEW / THOUGHTS:

I have been consuming audio books like crazy lately.  There has just been too much to do around here to be able to sit down and actually read a book.  Thank goodness I love audio books :).

Kricket, is a run away.  She is living with her best friend Bridgett that she met in the foster care system.  Bridgett is 18 and graduated from social services, so Kricket ran away to live with her until she turns 18.

Kricket keeps odd jobs that pay her under the table so that she can stay hidden from social services.  That is until one day on the train she meets three men, who seem to know her, and narrowly escapes.

Unfortunately, there are more men out looking for her as well.  Trey and his men have been sent to Earth to find Kricket and return her to Ethar.  Kricket isn't too keen on this plan but knows that she can "trust" Trey and his friends.  

Kricket has a gift for knowing when someone is telling the truth or not.  As their journey takes them back to Ethar, Kricket learns more about her family than she has ever known.   

Kricket cannot seem to wrap her head around the fact that she may be a priestess in Ethar, when all she wants is to return to Earth to be with her friends.  

This story was so fantastic.  Kricket is such a great, strong character.  She is witty, and funny all in one.  Kricket is determined to make those around her know she can take care of herself.  Yet, someone always wants something from her.  On Ethar Krickets ability to know when someone is lying comes in handy.

Kricket has some growing feelings for Trey.  Listening to their story unfold was so much fun.  I cannot wait to see what the next book brings.  The world that Bartol has built is wonderful.  The characters that she brings to life in this book are amazing.  Her story telling ability is beautiful.  Bring on book 2 :)!

Source:  I bought this audio book for myself.  I was not compensated in any way for this review.  These are my own PERSONAL thoughts on the book.

MY RATING:

WHERE TO BUY:

    

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

pic and  bio taken from Goodreads

I live in Michigan with my husband and our two sons. My family is very supportive of my writing. When I’m writing, they often bring me the take-out menu so that I can call and order them dinner. They listen patiently when I talk about my characters like they’re real. They rarely roll their eyes when I tell them I’ll only be a second while I finish writing a chapter…and then they take off their coats. They ask me how the story is going when I surface after living for hours in a world of my own making. They have learned to accept my “writing uniform” consisting of a slightly unflattering pink fleece jacket, t-shirt, and black yoga pants. And they smile at my nerdy bookishness whenever I try to explain urban fantasy to them. In short, they get me, so they are perfect and I am blessed. Please visit me at my website: www.amyabartol.weebly.com 

AUDIO BOOK REVIEW FOR - A BREAK OF DAY (A SHADE OF VAMPIRE BOOK 7) - BY BELLA FORREST

pic and description taken from audible.com

DESCRIPTION:

Everything Sofia believed to be true has crumbled before her very eyes...

Secrets will be revealed, loyalties tested and trust broken.

Are you ready to return to The Shade?

MY REVIEW / THOUGHTS:

So much is happening in this book.  Will Derek and Sofia and their band of vampires be able to defeat the Elders?  Will Sofia and Derek be able to convince the Ageless, and the Hawks to join forces against the Elders, and bring peace back to the shade?  So many questions.  So many factors need to fall into place in this book.  

I have loved the journey this series has taken.  I love that regardless of what Sofia and Derek are faced with they always seem to find a way back to each other.  

I love how fiercely loyal some of the Shade vampires, and humans are to Derek and Sofia.  I really love how Sofia can always find the good in any situation.  

The battle for what is right is fantastic through the whole series.  I love how this book wrapped everything up into a nice little bow.  That is how all books should end in my opinion.  If a series ends bad then it ruins the whole thing for me.  I know that there is more books to this story, but this book ends the way I wanted it to, so I think I am going to take a break from it for a while.   I need to revel in the fact that everyone is living happily ever after for a while.  Plus I don't want the continuation to end in a way I don't see fit ;).  Then it will ruin the whole series for me.

If you like vampire stories, with suspense, battles, friendships, unlikely alliances, and romance, then pick this series up.  I think you will enjoy it.  It's a sappy love story, but sometimes that is what I am in the mood for. 

Source:  I bought this book for myself.  I was not compensated in any way for this review.  These are my own PERSONAL thoughts on the book.

MY RATING:

WHERE TO BUY:

    

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

bio taken from amazon.com

I guess my life as a writer started when I was five; I'd sit under the kitchen table with my box of multi-colored wax crayons (I miss those) and create picture books. Creative writing was always my favorite subject and I used any free time I had to sit down with a notepad. Not much has changed, except that now I have developed vampirish habits: my writing "day" typically starts at 1am. I'm an avid reader and a big fan of cookie ice cream. When working I have to disconnect the internet for fear of being endlessly distracted by websites such as www.icanhas.cheezburger.com. This is my website: www.bellaforrest.net And don't forget to come say hello on Facebook: www.facebook.com/AShadeOfVampire

AUDIO BOOK REVIEW FOR - A GATE OF LIGHT (A SHADE OF VAMPIRE BOOK 6 - BY BELLA FORREST

pic and description taken from audible.com

DESCRIPTION:

Derek and Sofia are finally enjoying a well-deserved break. Staying at a resort with good food, sun and sea, Sofia is thrilled to witness Derek's re-introduction to the human world. They would almost be mistaken for a normal young couple, if it were not for the red-eyed monster lurking in the shadows and watching their every move, waiting for his signal to pounce....

MY REVIEW / THOUGHTS:

**** may be spoilers ****

Finally things seem to be going well for Sofia and Derek.  They finally get some much needed time together and away from the Shade, and all the evil that has been going on.  Or so they thought.

Derek and Sofia bask in the sun for a while, enjoying Derek's life as a human.  Sofia gets to introduce him to food, and dancing and all the things she has enjoyed in her life.  Yet something is lurking in the shadows.

The Elders want Sofia, and the Ageless want Derek.  Torn apart again, can Derek convince the ageless to tell him where Sofia is?  Will Derek be able to find his precious wife before she delivers their children?

Ugh, can these two just be together already?  Every time there seems to be a glimmer of hope some one  or some thing comes in to take that hope away.   Will Derek and Sofia be able to find a way to be together again, and what will happen to the children born to Sofia and Derek?

The series just keeps getting more and more interesting.  The roller coaster seems to keep going and going.  There has to be an end soon right?  I am loving this story so much.  Showing that true love doesn't come easy and always takes work.  In Derek and Sofia's case, an insurmountable amount of work.  Always fighting for survival can take a toll on a relationship.

Source:  I bought this book for myself.  I was not compensated in any way for this review.  These are my own PERSONAL thoughts on the book.

MY RATING:

WHERE TO BUY:

    

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Bella Forrest is the million-bestselling author of the "A Shade of Vampire" series.

Sign up to Bella's New Release email list and you'll automatically get notified as soon as her next book is released: www.forrestbooks.com

Visit her website: www.bellaforrest.net